A specialty stand serving grilled rice balls infused with salmon bushi (smoked salmon flakes) and dashi soup — "Ryoshi no Nigirimeshi" (漁師のにぎりめし) — is set to open in Sapporo on May 21, 2026. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the Tanukiya Building on Tanukikoji 4-chome in Sapporo's Chuo Ward.
The concept draws on the long-running popularity of "Ryoshi no Chikarameshi," a dashi furikake (rice seasoning) sold at Hokkaido product fairs across Japan since 1999. The seasoning uses salmon bushi, said to have about four times the umami content of standard bonito flakes, and has developed a loyal fanbase through regional fairs. The new stand brings that flavor into a permanent, everyday setting.
A Grilled Onigiri That Goes Through Three Stages
The menu centers on a set of grilled rice balls and dashi soup, priced at ¥660 (tax included). The onigiri are made using rice cooked with "Ryoshi no Chikarameshi," then grilled to create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside fluffy. The wings — thin rice crisps that form around the base — are coated with a soy sauce made from salmon offcuts, adding extra crunch and umami.
When served, each order is topped with additional salmon bushi and green onions. Customers can enjoy the onigiri first on its own, then drop it into the accompanying dashi soup to finish as an ochazuke-style dish.
This two-stage eating style — crispy and fluffy at first, then soaked and savory in the broth — is the defining experience of the set.
Toppings Available
Additional toppings are available for an extra charge, including Hokkaido-grown mountain wasabi (yamawasabi), a local condiment traditionally paired with rice dishes in the region.
About Salmon Bushi and "Ryoshi no Chikarameshi"
Salmon bushi is a traditional Hokkaido ingredient made from salmon caught after spawning. Compared to standard bonito flakes, it has a lighter taste alongside notably strong umami — a result of its high inosine acid (IMP) content, reportedly around four times that of katsuobushi.
"Ryoshi no Chikarameshi" is a dashi furikake made from salmon bushi, gagome konbu (a type of kelp from Hokkaido), seaweed, green onions, and sesame. It contains no additives and has been sold nationwide since 1999, with current average annual sales of around 40,000 bags.
Store Details
- Name: Ryoshi no Nigirimeshi (漁師のにぎりめし)
- Opening Date: May 21, 2026 (Thursday)
- Address: 1F Tanukiya Building, 4-18 Minami 3-jo Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo (Tanukikoji 4-chome)
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (scheduled)
- Menu: Salmon Bushi Grilled Onigiri & Dashi Soup Set
- Price: ¥660 (tax included)
Additional toppings such as Hokkaido-grown mountain wasabi are available for an extra charge.
